Robert Parker 91 points - Not surprisingly, this wine is closed, masculine, but super-rich, with a denser, more complete and full-bodied style than its sibling, Langoa Barton. Some toasty vanillin is apparent in the black currant aromas intermixed with tobacco leaf, cedar, and spice box. The wine is full-bodied and has a boatload of tannin, not unusual for this estate, as well as an impressively pure, long finish. Everything is here, but this wine, made with uncompromising vision, is meant to be cellared for an exceptionally long period of time. Anticipated maturity: 2020-2035.
Wine Spectator 94 points - There’s a great dark color to this, with intense aromas of cedar, wood, new leather and crushed blackberry. Full-bodied, with loads of fruit and a firm, powerful palate. Long and mouthpuckering. A muscular baby. Best after 2015. 18,750 cases made. –JS
The #64 in Wine Spector’s 2009 Top 100
The Bartons respect tradition but do not ignore progress. A modern de-stemmer and the latest wine press have been introduced for the vinification. Generally fermentation lasts about five days during which the juice is pumped over twice daily. The wine is left with the skins for two weeks approximately but this depends on the quality of the crop. The wine is then drawn off and the skins are pressed, thereby obtaining the ” vin de presse ” which is an important component in the final blend.
